He is also alleged to have bet in 10 games involving clubs he was playing with at the time – and of gambling on 147 matches between March 4, 2006, and July 28 this year.

But Kyle, who has admitted to his own gambling problems, is adamant betting is rife among footballers and that the SFA could find themselves charging dozens of players if they are embarking on a crackdown.

The striker, who played with Black at Rangers and Hearts, said: “If the SFA are going to charge Ian Black they may as well charge us all.

“Footballers betting on games they are playing in is nothing new, it’s a well-established culture which has taken place for generations.

“It’s impossible to expect players not to bet as the SFA take the money from betting firms and sponsors who are involved in the gambling industry so they can’t have it both ways.

Kevin Kyle in action for Rangers

“The SFA had better be prepared for a huge amount of players coming to Hampden to face charges as gambling within football is rife.

“But if anything good comes from Black’s case then hopefully it’s going to help that culture disappear.

“There are facts which need to be faced on this issue and the biggest one is that Black is just the tip of a large iceberg in Scottish football.”

Rangers immediately launched their own probe into the situation and Black has until Monday, August 26, to respond to the complaint ahead of attending a Hampden disciplinary hearing on September 12.

The most damaging accusation is that of betting on his own team not to win matches, and on the date of the first alleged offence Black played for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in a game they lost 1-0 to Motherwell.

The SFA have refused to divulge the matches in which he is accused of betting on his own team not to win and it is unclear if the Inverness v Motherwell game is one of them.

On July 28 this year, he is accused of making a bet on the date he scored for Rangers as they beat Albion Rovers 4-0 in the Ramsdens Cup.

Record Sport understands the SFA has set up stricter “integrity” checks with the help of bookmakers and one of them flagged up the bet made by Black on July 28.

An investigation into Black’s account history with the bookmaker has provided the SFA with enough information to charge him with three breaches of Disciplinary Rule 22.

The rule states: “No club official, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the SFA shall bet in any way on a football match (except authorised football pools).”

However, the SFA released a ?statement insisting there was no evidence to suggest Black breached the disciplinary rule which pertains to match fixing.

If found guilty of breaching SFA anti-gambling rules, the governing body could fine Black anything from £500 to £1million and suspend him or even expel him from the game.